Who IS Madeline (M.M.) Gornell ?
Madeline
(M.M.) Gornell has four published mystery novels—PSWA awarding winning Uncle Si’s Secret (2008); Death of a Perfect Man (2009); Eric
Hoffer Fiction finalist and Honorary Mention winner, the da Vinci Eye finalist,
and Montaigne Medalist finalist Reticence
of Ravens (2011); and PSWA award
winner and Hollywood Book Festival Honorary Mention Lies of Convenience (2012). Both Reticence of Ravens and Lies
of Convenience are Route 66 mysteries.
Madeline
is also a potter with a fondness for stoneware and reduction firing. She lives
with her husband and assorted canines in the Mojave Desert in a town on
internationally revered Route 66.
Now... let's get personal and find out what makes Madeline (M.M.) Gornell tick:
Susan,
so glad to meet you, and visit on your blog today! You’ve asked some very
interesting questions. Several(about your
favorite authors, books, characters) in particular caught my interest, I
guess because I never grow weary of talking about my favorite author. I think
that’s because whenever I’m feeling literarily-low(i.e. stuck) I go back and reread one of P.D. James’s Adam Dagliesh
novels—and I’m immediately revitalized. I love visiting with Adam at one of P.D.’s wonderful British locations.
Why
P.D and her protagonist Adam? He’s thoughtful, complicated, rather morose, and
with a true heart. Through Adam (and other characters—she uses multiple POVs),
not only does P.D. weave a marvelous story, but also draws her reader in using(believe it or not) compound and complex
sentences, challenging words—some long (yes,
she sends me to the dictionary occasionally), judiciously placed and
sometimes lengthy descriptive passages—and most sentences are longer than eight
words. Basically, writing that does not talk down, but inspires upward. Her
writing style adds to the complexity of Adam’s character and the story lines
she weaves. It is the type of exposition I would love to one day master, and
the type of character I love meeting in my fiction reading. Yes, without out a
doubt, P.D and Adam were, and continue to be my inspiration.
On
good advice I’m received, NEVER, EVER give up. Then there’s a list I have on
the wall behind me (so the words can
mystically transfer from the paper to my brain!) Again, I’m
quoting/paraphrasing/shortening P.D. James, “Increase your word power, read
widely and with discrimination, WRITE, write what YOU need to write, and waste
nothing that happens to you—however happy, however tragic...”
And
to answer What is one of my favorite
books? The Tragedy of Arthur, by Arthur Phillips is the best book I’ve read
recently. Very creative, I thought.
Thanks
so much, Susan, for offering me the opportunity to talk about writing. So much
of what I’m blabbing about today, I’ve said before—even on other stops on this tour—but it’s so hard for me to resist
the opportunity to talk about my favorite topic!
Contact and Buy Info from Madeline (M.M.) Gornell:
Madeline’s
books are available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and Smashwords, in
paper and e-book formats. You can visit her online at her website http://www.mmgornell.com , or her BLOG http://www.mmgornell.wordpress.com or email her directly at mmgornell@earthlink.net
Book Giveaway:
Buster, Dobie, and Mugs (the latest) are each
drawing a name from comments for free copies of Lies of Convenience (or a M.M.
Gornell title of your choosing)
Buy
link for Lies of Convenience:
Hi, Madeline. It's always fun to read anything you've written, makes me feel like we've had a short visit.
ReplyDeleteI love PD James quote about writing and never forgetting anything. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteWendy
W.S. Gager on Writing
Good morning, Susan, wonderful visiting you for the first time. And thanks for giving me the opportunity to talk about writing! And it's been so nice getting to know you on this tour.
ReplyDeleteMadeline
Good morning Marilyn and Wendy! I love hearing from my PSWA friends so early in the morning (I know it's a little later for you Wendy, my Michigan friend). Glad you both enjoyed my post. Would either of you like some morning tea? (smile)
ReplyDeleteMadeline
Besides being a fan of your writing, Madeline, I'm also intriqued about your pottery, Many years ago (back in art college, actually) I gave it a go and failed miserably. But that doesn't stop me from appreciating potters or their work. There's something about the texture of the fired clay, and colorful array of glazes. You're a true Renaissance woman!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne, for the nice words. Until I got a book published, pottery was what I did most of time in my new Mojave-Life. Now, unfortunately, don't get much time to pot. I still love it though, and hope to get back in my studio in the Spring. And you're so right, there something about the texture. And for me, the feel of wet clay as it moves through my hands on the wheel, and kiln-surprises (in high-fire reduction never certain what the fire-gods will do)are akin to getting the first copy of a new book-wonderful!
ReplyDeleteMadeline
Very inspiring, Madeline! As a fan of your work, I can safely say you've taken your own advice. Great post!
ReplyDeleteMarja McGraw
Marja, thanks for taking the time to stop by. I sure appreciate your following along on our tour. Really warms my literary heart! (smile)
ReplyDeleteMadeline
A great post, as usual Madeline. And good advice!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jean! It's been a fun day today. Sure enjoying the comments you're getting at my place!
ReplyDeleteMadeline
Great comments, Madeline, as always. Keep up the good work and I'll let you sit in the front of the bus.
ReplyDeleteVery good advice!
ReplyDeleteThanks Earl! Moving to the front of the bus is now my new goal. Yahoo! Though, there are some interesting characters hanging out with me in the back seats...(smile)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Collin! The thing about advice, I think, is it's pretty easy to give--hard to follow!
Madeline
Thanks, Susan, for a great day on the road!
ReplyDeleteMadeline